Sydney – Friday 30 June 2023. Avis Budget Group, the leading global provider of car rental solutions, has appointed Kurt Knackstedt as head of sales for the Pacific region, strengthening its leadership team to support its next phase of growth.
Knackstedt brings over two decades of experience in strategic and commercial management across industries including travel, technology, and financial services, working with organisations including Rio Tinto, American Express, HRS Pay and Travelport.
In his new role, Knackstedt will be responsible for driving sales and strengthening business partnerships with customers across Australia and New Zealand.
Knackstedt’s appointment follows a period of growth for Avis Budget Group, with domestic and international road travel thriving, and strong demand from customers for innovative car rental solutions.
The new appointment bolsters Avis Budget Group Pacific’s Commercial team, led by Senior Director Justin Montgomery who joined the business in 2022. Prior to this, Montgomery held senior executive industry roles with Amadeus IT and Virgin Australia.
"In the past year Avis Budget Group has been focused on building the depth and breadth of its Pacific commercial team," Montgomery says. "We are thrilled to welcome Kurt to our team. He is a highly regarded leader in the travel industry, with a track record of proven success, and will play a big part in helping us continue to drive customer excellence and innovative mobility solutions across the Pacific."
Knackstedt says, "Avis Budget Group is a respected industry leader with a rich history in Australia and New Zealand. I’m looking forward to working alongside the great team to strengthen our relationships with partners and drive our sales efforts right across the Pacific."
